Here is some good information about hookah smoking, important considering the very common misconceptions about this practice:
What is hookah smoking?
Hookah or water-pipe smoking, also known as narghile, shisha, or goza, has been used in the Middle East and Asia for more than 400 years (Rosenow, 2006). The hookah apparatus consists of a base that is filled with water, a bowl, a heating device that contains the tobacco and other products, a pipe that connects the bowl to the base, and a hose that is attached to the base to allow the smoke to be inhaled. When the smoker inhales through the hose, the smoke from the tobacco passes through the water into a chamber and then is inhaled (Rosenow). According to the World Health Organization, a 1-hour session of hookah smoking exposes the individual to high levels of toxic compounds including carbon monoxide, heavy metals, and cancer-causing chemicals as well as significant levels of nicotine (Rosenow). One 30- to 60-minute session is equivalent to smoking an entire pack of cigarettes at one sitting (Loffredo, 2006).
What are the health concerns with hookah smoking?
Hookah smoking is a relatively new phenomenon in Western culture. It is the fastest growing fad and worrisome epidemic among adolescents and young adults (Loffredo, 2006). The rationale for this new fad is the misconception that it is less toxic than cigarettes. Few studies document its hazards (Knishkowy & Amitai, 2005). Existing studies from Europe and Asia suggest that hookah smoking may increase malignancy in the lungs, gastrointestinal track, bladder, and lip (Knishkowy & Amitai). Also noted from these studies was a decrease in pulmonary function tests and increase in infectious disease from sharing the water pipe, including tuberculosis. A decrease in male fertility and low birth weight infants was another finding in these studies, along with cardiovascular changes such a elevated heart rate and an increase in blood pressure during hookah smoking (Knishkowy & Amitai).
Is hookah smoking safer than other tobacco products?
A common misperception is that hookah smoking is less dangerous than cigarette smoking, when, in fact, the use of the hookah may result in a higher concentration of absorbed nicotine. Nicotine is a very addictive chemical in the adolescent/young adult population. These toxins are not filtered by the water in the hookah pipe, nor does adding moisture to the smoking tobacco (water pipe) lessen its poisonous effects. Another risky behavior that is currently in vogue is adding marijuana or hashish to tobacco and using alcohol instead of water in the pipe. This practice may lead to addiction and other acute health hazards (Knishkowy & Amitai, 2005).
Why is hookah smoking so attractive?
As adolescents and young adults achieve specific developmental milestones of maturation and autonomy, behaviors that have a strong peer influence, such as hookah smoking, help the adolescent feel accepted by the group. It is an inexpensive social affair with a "feeling good" result. The consequences of tobacco smoking are not considered because of the perception the hookah is less harmful than a cigarette (Knishkowy & Amitai, 2005).
Medscape
Hookah or water-pipe smoking, also known as narghile, shisha, or goza, has been used in the Middle East and Asia for more than 400 years (Rosenow, 2006). The hookah apparatus consists of a base that is filled with water, a bowl, a heating device that contains the tobacco and other products, a pipe that connects the bowl to the base, and a hose that is attached to the base to allow the smoke to be inhaled. When the smoker inhales through the hose, the smoke from the tobacco passes through the water into a chamber and then is inhaled (Rosenow). According to the World Health Organization, a 1-hour session of hookah smoking exposes the individual to high levels of toxic compounds including carbon monoxide, heavy metals, and cancer-causing chemicals as well as significant levels of nicotine (Rosenow). One 30- to 60-minute session is equivalent to smoking an entire pack of cigarettes at one sitting (Loffredo, 2006).
What are the health concerns with hookah smoking?
Hookah smoking is a relatively new phenomenon in Western culture. It is the fastest growing fad and worrisome epidemic among adolescents and young adults (Loffredo, 2006). The rationale for this new fad is the misconception that it is less toxic than cigarettes. Few studies document its hazards (Knishkowy & Amitai, 2005). Existing studies from Europe and Asia suggest that hookah smoking may increase malignancy in the lungs, gastrointestinal track, bladder, and lip (Knishkowy & Amitai). Also noted from these studies was a decrease in pulmonary function tests and increase in infectious disease from sharing the water pipe, including tuberculosis. A decrease in male fertility and low birth weight infants was another finding in these studies, along with cardiovascular changes such a elevated heart rate and an increase in blood pressure during hookah smoking (Knishkowy & Amitai).
Is hookah smoking safer than other tobacco products?
A common misperception is that hookah smoking is less dangerous than cigarette smoking, when, in fact, the use of the hookah may result in a higher concentration of absorbed nicotine. Nicotine is a very addictive chemical in the adolescent/young adult population. These toxins are not filtered by the water in the hookah pipe, nor does adding moisture to the smoking tobacco (water pipe) lessen its poisonous effects. Another risky behavior that is currently in vogue is adding marijuana or hashish to tobacco and using alcohol instead of water in the pipe. This practice may lead to addiction and other acute health hazards (Knishkowy & Amitai, 2005).
Why is hookah smoking so attractive?
As adolescents and young adults achieve specific developmental milestones of maturation and autonomy, behaviors that have a strong peer influence, such as hookah smoking, help the adolescent feel accepted by the group. It is an inexpensive social affair with a "feeling good" result. The consequences of tobacco smoking are not considered because of the perception the hookah is less harmful than a cigarette (Knishkowy & Amitai, 2005).
Medscape
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